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| Carmarthenshire 'unlawful' payments no confidence vote | Carmarthenshire 'unlawful' payments no confidence vote |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A no confidence vote is expected on Carmarthenshire council's leadership following a report claiming payments to the chief executive were "unlawful". | A no confidence vote is expected on Carmarthenshire council's leadership following a report claiming payments to the chief executive were "unlawful". |
| Mark James has stepped aside as chief executive while police investigate why he was allowed to opt out of a pension scheme and receive cash instead. | Mark James has stepped aside as chief executive while police investigate why he was allowed to opt out of a pension scheme and receive cash instead. |
| Payments for this and for libel action costs were unlawful, the Wales Audit Office (WAO) ruled. | Payments for this and for libel action costs were unlawful, the Wales Audit Office (WAO) ruled. |
| The council has defended its actions and welcomed the police investigation. | The council has defended its actions and welcomed the police investigation. |
| Mr James said it was "right and proper" he should not be at work while Gloucestershire Police conclude their inquiries. He maintains that he is absolutely certain that neither he nor any of his officers had done anything wrong. | Mr James said it was "right and proper" he should not be at work while Gloucestershire Police conclude their inquiries. He maintains that he is absolutely certain that neither he nor any of his officers had done anything wrong. |
| The Wales Audit Office also found the council made "unlawful" payments to Pembrokeshire council chief executive Bryn Parry Jones and another Pembrokeshire official. | The Wales Audit Office also found the council made "unlawful" payments to Pembrokeshire council chief executive Bryn Parry Jones and another Pembrokeshire official. |
| Despite calls for him to step aside, Mr Parry Jones has said he will remain at work while police investigate the matter. | Despite calls for him to step aside, Mr Parry Jones has said he will remain at work while police investigate the matter. |
| Pembrokeshire, which has also vigorously defended the payments, has already held an extraordinary meeting to debate the rulings. | Pembrokeshire, which has also vigorously defended the payments, has already held an extraordinary meeting to debate the rulings. |
| A full meeting of that authority earlier this month was due to vote on suspending Mr Parry Jones, but a number of councillors staged a walk-out after allegations that some people had already pre-determined the outcome. | A full meeting of that authority earlier this month was due to vote on suspending Mr Parry Jones, but a number of councillors staged a walk-out after allegations that some people had already pre-determined the outcome. |
| Council leader Kevin Madge and former council leader Meryl Gravelle, who is now deputy leader, are expected to face the no confidence vote on Thursday. | Council leader Kevin Madge and former council leader Meryl Gravelle, who is now deputy leader, are expected to face the no confidence vote on Thursday. |
| The Carmarthenshire meeting is open to the public and Mr Madge has promised a "frank, open and honest discussion". | The Carmarthenshire meeting is open to the public and Mr Madge has promised a "frank, open and honest discussion". |
| Councillors will hear from the assistant auditor general and details of the legal advice which the council says supports its actions. | Councillors will hear from the assistant auditor general and details of the legal advice which the council says supports its actions. |
| But the Plaid Cymru group is expected to press ahead with a vote of no confidence against Mr Madge and Ms Gravelle. | But the Plaid Cymru group is expected to press ahead with a vote of no confidence against Mr Madge and Ms Gravelle. |
| However, without the support of between six and 10 councillors from the ruling Labour-independent coalition, it is thought unlikely the Plaid councillors will win the vote. | |
| Meanwhile, two senior council officers at Caerphilly council in south Wales are due in court in April on charges following a police investigation into pay rises they received. | Meanwhile, two senior council officers at Caerphilly council in south Wales are due in court in April on charges following a police investigation into pay rises they received. |
| Chief executive Anthony O'Sullivan and his deputy Nigel Barnett face charges of alleged misconduct in a public office. | Chief executive Anthony O'Sullivan and his deputy Nigel Barnett face charges of alleged misconduct in a public office. |